Retractable platform to assist kayakers to launch off an elevated boat dock

ABSTRACT

This is directed to systems, processes, machines, and other means that enable a user to launch a kayak from a dock. The invention can easily be cranked into a portable or usable position depending on user preference and enable a user to easily launch a kayak.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional application 61/468,427filed on Mar. 28, 2011.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to devices that assist a user in launching akayak off of a retractable platform.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many consumers may have difficulty getting into and stepping out oftheir kayaks. The docks from which consumers must step to enter theirkayaks may be elevated, requiring users to take large steps down toreach their kayaks. This can cause users to lose their balances andslip. When leaving the kayaks, users may need to hoist themselves up,leading to painful strained muscles. An effective, safe solution isnecessary and is provided by the claimed invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes methods, systems, and other means for aretractable platform to assist a user with launching a kayak. Theretractable platform comprises a support frame assembly mechanicallycoupled to a step assembly. The support frame assembly is mechanicallycoupled to a platform assembly, a hand crank, a hand rail and a platformassembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention shown in use.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention illustrated with optionalplanking.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention illustrated withoutoptional planking for clarity.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the invention illustrating major assemblycomponents.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the invention illustrated in extended position.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the invention illustrated in partiallyretracted rotational position.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention overcome many of the obstaclesassociated with launching a kayak in shallow water, and now will bedescribed more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanyingdrawings that show some, but not all embodiments of the claimedinventions. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments setforth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that thisdisclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbersrefer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 shows the invention in use. User 10 desires to launch kayak 16 inwater 12 from dock 14. The present invention, retractable platform 24,meets that need. Retractable platform 24 comprises support frameassembly 18 which further comprises dock mount 32. Dock mount 32 isimmediately adjacent to dock 14 and is mechanically coupled to handcrank post 30 which is further mechanically coupled to hand crank 26.Hand crank 26 comprises crank line 54 and crank handle 56. Crank line 54mechanically couples hand crank 26 to hand rail 58 (not shown) which isfurther mechanically coupled to platform assembly 22 as shown in moredetail in FIG. 5. A user can utilize hand crank 56 to lift platformassembly 22 as shown in FIG. 6.

Platform assembly 22 is mechanically coupled to step assembly 20 asshown in FIG. 3. Here, step assembly 20 is shown comprising planking 60,though it can also comprise diamond grating 62 as shown in FIG. 7.Planking 60 is mechanically coupled to support frame assembly 18 asshown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 shows retractable platform 24 in more detail. As noted aboveretractable platform 24 comprises support frame assembly 18 mechanicallycoupled to step assembly 20 which is further mechanically coupled toplatform assembly 22. Support frame assembly 18 comprises dock mount 32which is mechanically coupled to mounting frame 34 and hand crank post30. Step assembly 20 is mechanically coupled to mounting frame 34 atstep pivot fastener hole 52 as shown in FIG. 4.

Platform assembly 22 comprises platform frame 42 which is mechanicallycoupled to left platform side aim 44, right platform side arm 44 andfurther mechanically coupled hand rail 58 by left bracket 48 and rightbracket 48. Left platform side arm 44 is mechanically coupled tomounting frame 34 by left platform arm 36 and left step pivot fastenerhole 50 as shown in FIG. 4. Similarly, right platform side arm 44 ismechanically coupled to mounting frame 34 by right platform arm 36 andright step pivot fastener hole 50 as shown in FIG. 4. Here, planking 60is mechanically coupled to step assembly 20 and platform assembly 22.

As noted above, hand crank 26 comprises crank handle 56 and ismechanically coupled to hand crank platform 28. Hand crank platform 28is mechanically coupled to hand crank post 30, which is furthermechanically coupled to mounting frame 34.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the invention without planking 60.While a variety of materials can be used to make the components ofretractable platform 24, the following materials have been notablyeffective: platform frame 42 can be made from 1.5 inch by 1.5 inch by0.188 inch steel tube. Step assembly 20 also can be made from 1.5 inchby 1.5 inch by 0.188 inch steel tube. Additionally, step pivot fastener36 and platform pivot fastener 38 can be made from 1.5 inch by 1.5 inchby 0.188 inch steel tube. Mounting frame 34 can be made from 2 inch by 2inch by 0.188 inch steel angle. Deck mount 32 can be made from 0.188″ by3″ hot rolled flat steel bar.

FIG. 4 shows the mechanical couples mentioned above in more detail in anexploded view of the invention. Cross brace 66 provides additionalsupport to mounting frame 34. To mechanically couple step assembly 20 tomounting frame 34, a user must first mechanically couple right step stop64 and left step stop 64 to mounting frame 34. After that, a user mustmechanically couple left step arm 38 and right step arm 38 to mountingframe 34. Left step arm 38 further comprises left step pivot fastenerhole 52. Right step arm 38 further comprises right step pivot fastenerhole 52.

A user then inserts first left bolt 70 into first flange bearing 72through left step pivot fastener hole 52 into second flange bearing 72,into third flange bearing 72, into fourth flange bearing 72 into firstnut 74 and into second nut 74 completing left step connection.Subsequently, a user inserts first right bolt 70 into fifth flangebearing 72 through right step pivot fastener hole 52 into sixth flangebearing 72, into seventh flange bearing 72, into eighth flange bearing72 into third nut 74 and into fourth nut 74 completing right stepconnection.

To mechanically couple platform assembly 44 to mounting frame 34, a usermust first mechanically left platform arm 36 and right platform arm 36to mounting frame 34. Left platform arm 36 further comprises leftplatform pivot fastener hole 50. Right platform arm 36 further comprisesright platform pivot fastener hole 50.

A user then inserts second left bolt 70 into ninth flange bearing 72through left platform pivot fastener hole 50 into tenth flange bearing72, into eleventh flange bearing 72, into twelfth flange bearing 72 intofifth nut 74 and into sixth nut 74 completing left platform connection.Subsequently, a user inserts second right bolt 70 into thirteenth flangebearing 72 through right platform pivot fastener hole 50 into fourteenthflange bearing 72, into fifteenth flange bearing 72, into sixteenthflange bearing 72 into seventh nut 74 and into eighth nut 74 completingright platform connection.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the invention in use. As noted above,support frame assembly 18 is mechanically coupled to step assembly 20and platform assembly 22 as shown in FIG. 4. Support frame assembly 18is also mechanically coupled to hand crank 26. Here, support frame 18comprises gusset plate 40 which is mechanically coupled to platform arm36 and mounting frame 34. Gusset plate 40 provides additional support toplatform arm 36.

In use, dock mount 24 is parallel and immediately adjacent to dock 14(not shown). Mounting frame 38 will he perpendicular to dock 14 (notshown). The weight of dock mount 32 should be sufficient to keepretractable platform 24 in place. When user 10 operates hand crank 26such that crank line 54 becomes loose, retractable platform 24 shouldappear as in FIG. 5, which is, platform frame 42 is parallel to dockmount 32 and held in place by platform side arm 44.

FIG. 6 shows retractable platform 24 in motion. As user 10 engages handcrank 56 in a clockwise manner, crank line 54 is wrapped around handcrank 26 and attachment point 58 is pulled toward hand crank post 30. Asthis happens, platform frame 42 pivots about right platform pivotfastener hole 50 and left platform pivot fastener hole 50 causingplatform frame 42 to gradually become parallel with mounting frame 34.As this occurs, and platform frame 42 (or planking 60 if used) willbecome immediately adjacent to step assembly 20 and exert force uponstep assembly 20. This force causes step assembly 20 to rotate aboutright step pivot fastener hole 52 and left step pivot fastener hole 52.As this occurs, step assembly 20 gradually becomes parallel withmounting frame 34.

FIG. 7 shows an alternate embodiment of retractable platform 24 where afirst diamond grating 62 is mechanically coupled to step assembly 20. Asecond diamond grating 62 is mechanically coupled to platform base 42.

1. A retractable platform to assist a user with launching a kayak,comprising, a support frame assembly mechanically coupled to a stepassembly; where the support frame assembly is mechanically coupled to aplatform assembly; where the support frame assembly is mechanicallycoupled to a hand crank; where the hand crank is mechanically coupled toa hand rail; where the hand rail is mechanically coupled to the platformassembly.
 2. The retractable platform to assist the user with launchinga kayak of claim 1 further comprising, where the support frame assemblyis mechanically coupled to the step assembly by a first right bolt and afirst left bolt; where the support frame assembly is mechanicallycoupled to the platform assembly by a second right bolt and a secondleft bolt; where the support frame assembly is mechanically coupled tothe hand crank by a hand crank post mechanically coupled to a hand crankplatform; where the hand crank is mechanically coupled to the hand railby a crank line; where the hand rail is mechanically coupled to theplatform assembly by a left bracket and a right bracket.
 3. Theretractable platform to assist the user with launching a kayak of claim1 further comprising, the support frame assembly further comprises adock mount mechanically coupled to a mounting frame which is furthermechanically coupled to a left step arm, a right step arm, a leftplatform arm, a right platform arm, a cross brace, and a gusset plate;the platform assembly further comprises a platform base mechanicallycoupled to the left platform side arm, the right platform side arm, aright bracket, a left bracket and the hand rail.